Introduction to the DAT Exam
Students who want to join dental schools in the United States and Canada have to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). In this article, we have collected all the important information related to the DAT exam, its format, and resources to prepare for it.
Acceptance
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is accepted by 66 dental schools in the U.S. and 10 in Canada.
DAT Exam Sections and Test Format
This exam consists of four sections or blocks and the entire exam takes approx. 4.5 hours to complete. Now let’s discuss the details of each section.
Survey of the Natural Sciences
This section assesses knowledge in biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. It lasts for 90 minutes.
Perceptual Ability Test (PAT)
Often referred to as the PAT, this section tests spatial judgment and problem-solving abilities in 60 minutes.
Reading Comprehension
Your ability to understand and analyze scientific passages will be tested in this section. 60 minutes time is allowed for this part.
Quantitative Reasoning
Similar to the math section on the SAT, this part involves mathematical problems and time allowed for this is 45 minutes.
In the table given below we have provided a breakdown of the number of questions in each section of the test.
| Section | No. of Questions (Total 280) | |
| 1. a | Biology | 40 |
| 1. b | General Chemistry | 30 |
| 1. c | Organic Chemistry | 30 |
| 2 | Perceptual Ability | 90 |
| 3 | Reading Comprehension | 50 |
| 4 | Quantitative Reasoning | 40 |
Scoring System – DAT exam scores
Each section in the DAT exam is scored independently on a scale from 1 to 30. The overall DAT score is derived from the combination of individual section scores. While there is no passing or failing score, dental schools set their own minimum score requirements for admissions and percentile ranks are given to the candidates in relative to other test-takers.
Difficulty- how hard is the DAT exam?
You can have an idea of the difficulty of this test from the average scores and percentiles of test-takers. Most sections have an average score of 17, which corresponds to the 50th percentile, indicating that half of all test-takers score below this mark and half above this, so we can conclude that this is a moderately difficult exam.
The Academic Average (AA) score for admissions varies by school, typically ranging from 18 to 21, but for highly competitive schools like Harvard, it can be as high as 23-24, with the 100th percentile often at 25.
How to register for and schedule DAT exam?
Scheduling your DAT test is a straightforward process that involves several steps. So let’s begin discussing each one of them separately.
First, you need to get the DENTPIN from ADA website and download and read DAT Candidate Guide carefully. Once you’ve obtained your DENTPIN® you can proceed to complete the DAT application online.
Make sure that the information provided matches your official government-issued identification. After submitting your application, you’ll receive eligibility confirmation from the Department of Testing Services via email, then you can schedule your test at a Prometric test center which is near to you.
It’s better to plan ahead and schedule your test 60 to 90 days in advance to secure your preferred testing date and location because seats can get filled pretty quickly. By following these steps diligently, you can streamline the scheduling process and focus your efforts on preparing effectively for the DAT exam.
How to prepare for the DAT Exam?
We have got some essential tips to help you prepare effectively:
Familiarize Yourself with the Exam Content
Review the DAT Candidate Guide to understand the format, content, and structure of the exam. Identify the key topics and subjects covered in each section.
Create a Study Plan
Make a study schedule for yourself that allocates sufficient time to review all sections of the exam.
Utilize Study Materials
Gather study materials such as textbooks, review guides, practice tests, and online resources related to the DAT exam.
Focus on Weak Areas
While studying and practicing online practice exams, identify the subjects you are weak in and focus on them.
Learn Test-Taking Strategies
You should know about test-taking strategies, such as time management, process of elimination, and educated guessing. Practice applying these strategies during practice tests and review sessions.
DAT Exam Prep Books
As far as the study material for DAT exam prep is concerned, here are some highly recommended DAT preparation books that can help you in your study process;
Kaplan DAT Prep Plus
Known for its comprehensive content review and practice questions, Kaplan also offers test-taking strategies and a blueprint of the exam to familiarize you with the format.
Mometrix Test Preparation DAT Prep Book
This book provides a good mix of content review and practice questions, along with strategies for tackling the exam.
The Princeton Review Cracking the DAT
Offers customized study techniques and a thorough review of all DAT sections.
Sterling Test Prep DAT
Known for diverse difficulty levels in their practice questions, which can help you prepare for the range of questions on the actual exam.
The Gold Standard DAT Prep Book
Includes realistic practice tests and comprehensive subject reviews.
Barron’s Dental Admissions Test Prep
Provides practice tests and diagnostic tools to help identify areas for improvement.
These books are designed to cover the full syllabus of the DAT exam, including detailed reviews of the natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning sections. They also include practice tests which are really important for proper preparation.
In addition to this, you can practice questions using Bootcamp or Booster platform and Anki for repetitive learning.